Methods, apparatuses and systems for sensing exposure of electronic devices to moisture

ABSTRACT

Systems, devices and methods for sensing moisture within an electronic device are disclosed. A device may include a housing and a display defining and exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device. Further, the device may include an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and comprising a control element. The device may also include a moisture sensor such as an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, or both. The moisture sensor, which may be part of the IC, together with the control element may sense moisture within the electronic device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/734,779 filed on Jan. 4, 2013, titled METHODS, APPARATUSESAND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING FOR EXPOSURE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES TOMOISTURE AND REACTING TO EXPOSURE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO MOISTURE(“the '779 application”). The '779 application includes a claim for thebenefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to the Jan. 10, 2012,filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/584,933,titled METHODS, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR MONITORING AND REACTING TOEXPOSURE OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES TO MOISTURE (“the '933 ProvisionalApplication”).

This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/320,799 filed on Jul. 1, 2014, titledAPPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AND REACTING TO EXPOSUREOF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO MOISTURE (“the '799 application”). The '799application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/150,534 filed on Jan. 8, 2014, titled APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, ANDMETHODS FOR DETECTING AND REACTING TO EXPOSURE OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICETO MOISTURE, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,773,271, issued on Jul. 8, 2014 (“the'534 application”). The '534 application claimed the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to the Jan. 8, 2013, filing date of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/750,328, titled APPARATUSES,SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AND REACTING TO EXPOSURE OF ANELECTRONIC DEVICE TO MOISTURE (“the '328 Provisional Application”). Theentire disclosures of the '779 Application, the '933 ProvisionalApplication, the '799 Application, the '534 application and the '328Provisional Application are, by this reference, incorporated herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to methods, devices, and systems forsensing exposure of electronic devices to moisture and for responding toexposure of electronic devices to moisture, and to electronic devicesthat employ such a method and/or system.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a system for sensingexposure of an electronic device to moisture (e.g., liquid, vapor, etc.)(e.g., as moisture enters the electronic device through an entry point,such as a port, seam or crack). In addition to sensing moisture, thesystem may be configured to alter or vary operation of the electronicdevice. Similarly, in a method for sensing exposure of an electronicdevice to moisture, the manner in which the electronic device operatesmay be varied or altered if a predetermined amount of moisture isdetected. Various aspects relating to systems and methods for sensingexposure of electronic devices to moisture are disclosed.

The term “moisture” is used throughout this disclosure to refer to avariety of liquids and vapors. Without limitation, moisture may includewater, aqueous solutions (e.g., salt solutions, acidic solutions, basicsolutions, drinks, etc.) or vapors of water or other aqueous materials(e.g., humidity, fogs, mists, etc.). Moisture may also include organicliquids and vapors (e.g., organic solvents, low molecular weight organiccompounds, etc.), including electrically conductive organic materials,as well as a variety of other substances or conditions that might pose athreat to an electronic device or its components.

A moisture sensing system may be used in conjunction with orincorporated into a variety of different types of electronic devices,including, without limitation, portable electronic devices, such asmobile telephones, smart phones, e-readers, tablet computers, laptopcomputers, and the like; electronic devices that are expected to be usedin environments where exposure to moisture is possible or even likely,such as electronic devices used in agricultural equipment, irrigation,public safety, military, the oil and gas industry, transportation (e.g.,by railways, in trucking, etc.), maritime applications; and electronicdevices that are used in a variety of other applications.

In some embodiments, a moisture sensing system may include a moisturesensor, a control element, a heating element, a warning element, aswitch, or any combination thereof. The control element, the heatingelement, the warning element, the switch, a power supply for thesefeatures, and electrical connections and other components of a moisturesense system may be made moisture resistant (e.g., covered with amoisture-resistant coating, etc.). The moisture sensor may also bemoisture resistant (e.g., portions of the moisture sensor may be sealed,covered with a moisture-resistant coating, etc.).

The moisture sensor enables sensing moisture in an environment where themoisture sensor, and any electronic device with which it is associated(or is a part), is located. The moisture sensor may be located within anelectronic device, exposed to the interior of the electronic device,exposed to an exterior of the electronic device, or some combinationthereof. The moisture sensor may comprise a capacitance sensorconfigured to measure the dielectric properties of the ambientconditions to which an electronic device is exposed (i.e., to sensemoisture), an inductive sensor for measuring magnetic properties of anelectronic device (i.e., to sense moisture), or both. In one specificembodiment, the moisture sensor includes one or more capacitancesensors, each of which being incorporated into an integrated circuit. Inanother embodiment, the moisture sensor includes one or more capacitancesensors, each having a sensor element and a shield coupled to an inputport of an integrated circuit. A capacitance sensor may be configuredfor detecting a change in a dielectric constant between two parallelelectrodes. In yet another embodiment, the moisture sensor includes aninductive sensor including a coil coupled to an integrated circuit andconfigured for generating a magnetic field and detecting a change inmagnetic permeability. In yet another embodiment, the moisture sensormay comprise an inductive component and/or a capacitive component, whichmay also be used for one or more other functions in addition to sensingmoisture. More specifically, as one example, one or more antennas of anelectronic device may be used to sense moisture (e.g., via capacitiveand/or inductive sensing methods).

The control element may control operation of other components of themoisture sense system. The control element may be dedicated to themoisture sense system, or it may comprise a processing element of theelectronic device with which the moisture sense system is used.

The warning element, which may operate under control of the controlelement, may be configured to generate one or more signals indicative ofexposure of the electronic device to moisture. In some embodiments, thewarning element may be configured to notify an individual using theelectronic device that the electronic device has been exposed to anabove-ambient amount of moisture, that the amount of moisture to whichthe electronic device has been exposed exceeds per-exposure threshold ofmoisture, that the cumulative amount of moisture to which the electronicdevice has been exposed over a period of time (e.g., the life of theelectronic device, the past year, the past six months, the past month,etc.) has exceeded a total acceptable exposure amount, the amount ofmoisture to which the electronic device has been exposed (e.g., the typeof moisture to which the electronic device is currently exposed, theamount of moisture to which the electronic device is currently exposed,the amount of time the electronic device was/is exposed to moistureduring a particular moisture-exposure event, the total amount of timethe electronic device has been exposed to moisture over a period of time(e.g., the life of the electronic device, the past year, the past sixmonths, the past month, etc.), the number of times the electronic devicehas been exposed to moisture, etc.), other information about exposure ofthe electronic device to moisture, or any combination of the foregoing.Any of the moisture thresholds mentioned above may be referred to hereinas a “moisture event threshold.” In embodiments where the electronicdevice is configured for wireless communication (e.g., a mobiletelephone, a smart phone, a tablet computing device, a portable digitalmusic player, a radio, a wireless automobile entry device (i.e., key),etc.), the warning element may be configured to notify a remotemonitoring service that the electronic device has been exposed to anamount of moisture that meets or exceeds a moisture event threshold.

The switch, which may operate under control of the moisture sensor orthe control element, may be configured to move between a normal positionand a moisture event position. With the switch in the normal position,the electronic device may operate normally; the switch allows power toflow from a power supply of the electronic device to its primaryelectronic components (e.g., electronic components that enable theelectronic device to function as intended, etc.). In the moisture eventposition, the switch may terminate the communication of power from apower supply to at least some of the circuitry of the electronic device(e.g., electronic components that enable the electronic device tofunction as intended, etc.). In some embodiments, when the switch is inthe moisture event position, it may allow power to be communicated fromthe power supply to a remainder of the moisture sense system.

In some embodiments, a change in the orientation of the switch may causea mechanical action in the electronic device that may temporarily sealone or more of its moisture-sensitive components from exposure to themoisture that has been detected.

In another aspect, methods for responding to exposure of an electronicdevice to amounts of moisture that meet or exceed the moisture eventthreshold include monitoring an amount of moisture to which theelectronic device is exposed. Monitoring may occur continuously orperiodically. If the amount of moisture exceeds a predetermined moistureevent threshold, a normal operational mode of the electronic device maybe terminated, and a moisture event mode of the electronic device may beinitiated.

As an electronic device exits its normal operational mode, the supply ofpower from a power supply (e.g., a battery, a supercapacitor, a fuelcell, a photovoltaic cell, etc.) to one or more components of theelectronic device may be terminated. Termination of the supply of powerto these components may protect them from damage (e.g., damage fromshort circuits or accelerated corrosion that may be caused by water,other types of moisture, etc.). In some embodiments, this moisture eventmode of the electronic device may include a complete shut-down of theelectronic device. In other embodiments, the moisture event mode of theelectronic device may comprise a safe mode, in which certain componentsof the electronic device (e.g., components that have been mademoisture-resistant, components that are unlikely to fail when exposed tomoisture, etc.) may continue to operate. In some embodiments, operationof the electronic device in the safe mode may enable a moisture sensesystem to continue operation, while all other components of theelectronic device (i.e., those that do not participate in the moisturesense system) may shut down.

As an electronic device enters the safe mode, or moisture event mode,the electronic device or a moisture sense system associated with theelectronic device may generate a notification. Without limitation, thenotification may include a user-perceptible warning, the generation andtransmittal of a signal to a remote monitoring service (e.g., by way ofan e-mail, an SMS text message, an MMS text message, etc.), or acombination of these services.

In embodiments where moisture monitoring continues while an electronicdevice is in moisture event mode, once the amount of moisture to whichthe electronic device is exposed drops to an acceptable level, theelectronic device may be enabled to resume full operation. In such anembodiment, when the amount of moisture detected drops to or below apredetermined reset threshold, which may be the same as or differentfrom the moisture event threshold, the moisture event mode of theelectronic device may be terminated, and the normal operational mode ofthe electronic device may be reinitiated.

Programs or applications (or “apps”) that are launched or executed inresponse to detection of amounts of moisture that meet or exceed amoisture event threshold are also disclosed. Such a program orapplication may perform functions that relate to exposure of anelectronic device to moisture. By way of non-limiting example, a programor application that is executed or launched upon exposure of anelectronic device may provide a user with information about exposure ofthe electronic device to moisture. Such information may include, but isnot limited to, information on the amount of moisture to which anelectronic device has been exposed, information on prior exposure of theelectronic device to moisture, cumulative moisture exposure information,diagnostic and/or historic information. As another non-limiting example,a program or application that launches, or executes, upon exposure of anelectronic device to an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds apredetermined moisture event threshold may provide a user withinformation on moisture-resistant elements of the electronic device(e.g., the last time a moisture-resistant coating was applied tocomponents of the electronic device, etc.).

Other aspects, as well as features and advantages of various aspects, ofthe disclosed subject matter will become apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art though consideration of the ensuing description, theaccompanying drawings and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a moisture sense system;

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of an integrated circuit including aplurality of ports;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an integratedcircuit coupled to a heating element;

FIG. 4 illustrates a system including an integrated circuit and amoisture sensor;

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of a system including an integrated circuitand an inductive coil;

FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of a system including an integratedcircuit and an inductive coil;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional illustration of a system including anintegrated circuit positioned on a substrate;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional illustration of a package including anintegrated circuit; and

FIG. 9 schematically depicts an embodiment of an electronic device thatincludes a moisture sensor and, optionally, a moisture sense system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a system 10 is illustrated.System 10 may also be referred to herein as a “moisture sense system.”The moisture sense system 10, which is configured for use with anelectronic device (e.g., a portable electronic device, an electronicdevice that is expected to be used in an environment where exposure tomoisture is likely or even expected, etc.), may be configured to senseif the electronic device is exposed to moisture. In the embodimentillustrated by FIG. 1, the moisture sense system 10 includes a moisturesensor 12, a control element 14, a warning element 16, and a switch 18.As will be described more fully below, system 10 may also include aheating element 19 for generating heat in response to sensing moisture(i.e., a moisture event) within the electronic device. In someembodiments, the moisture sense system 10 may include a dedicated powersource (e.g., a capacitor, a supercapacitor, a battery, etc.).

The moisture sensor 12 enables sensing moisture and monitoring of anamount of moisture in an environment where it is located. The moisturesensor 12 may be configured for assembly with an electronic device. Themoisture sensor 12 (and other components of the moisture sense system10) may be configured to operate regardless of whether the electronicdevice is powered on (e.g., in embodiments where the moisture sensesystem 10 receives power from a backup power supply of the electronicdevice, a dedicated power source, etc.). Various embodiments of moisturesensors 12 may be used in a moisture sense system 10 that incorporatesteachings of this disclosure. As non-limiting examples, moisture sensor12 may comprise one or more capacitance sensors, one or more inductivesensors, or any combination thereof.

The moisture sensor 12 may communicate with the control element 14,which may be configured to process signals from the moisture sensor 12and, upon detecting signals indicative of certain conditions (e.g., anamount of moisture that meets or exceeds a predetermined moisture eventthreshold, an amount of moisture at or below a predetermined resetthreshold, etc.), execute commands that control operation of othercomponents of the moisture sense system 10. The control element 14 maycomprise a dedicated processing element (e.g., a microcontroller withembedded firmware, etc.) or it may comprise a processor of an electronicdevice with which the moisture sense system 10 is associated. Further,control element 14 may include logic, such as logic 212 shown in FIG. 4.

One of the components of the moisture sense system 10 that may operateunder control of the control element 14 is the warning element 16. Thewarning element 16 may be configured to alert a user of the electronicdevice of its exposure to moisture. In such an embodiment, the warningelement 16 may comprise a visible alarm, an audible alarm, a vibratingalarm, or the like. In some embodiments, the warning element 16 maycomprise a display or monitor (e.g., the display or monitor of anelectronic device with which the moisture sense system 10 is associated,or of which the moisture sense system 10 is a part, etc.), which maydisplay a warning. In embodiments where the warning element 16 comprisesa display or monitor, it may provide a user interface (e.g., displayimages, receive inputs (when the display or monitor is touch-sensitive),etc.) with the control element 14 while the control element 14 executesa program, or application or “app,” in response to detection by themoisture sensor 12 of an amount of moisture that meets or exceeds amoisture event threshold. In embodiments where the control element 14launches a program or application in response to detection of an amountof moisture that meets or exceeds the moisture event threshold, thewarning element 16 may display information that relates to exposure ofan electronic device to moisture. By way of non-limiting example, aprogram or application that is executed or launched upon exposure of anelectronic device may provide a user with information about exposure ofthe electronic device to moisture. Such information may include, but isnot limited to, information on the amount of moisture to which anelectronic device has been exposed, depth of moisture exposure,information on prior exposure of the electronic device to moisture,cumulative moisture exposure information, diagnostic information,historical information, other information that relates to exposure ofthe electronic device to moisture, or combinations of any of theforegoing. The information provided to the user may also be storedlocally on the electronic device, and remain available for subsequentaccess by a user of that electronic device. As another example, aprogram or application that launches upon exposure of an electronicdevice to moisture in an amount that meets or exceeds a moisture eventthreshold may provide a user with information on one or moremoisture-resistant features of the electronic device (e.g., the lasttime a moisture-resistant coating was applied to components of theelectronic device, etc.). In another example, the control element 14 mayexecute a program or an application that provides a user withinstructions on how to minimize moisture-related damage to theelectronic device with which the moisture sense system 10 is associated;e.g., instructions on a protocol for removing moisture from, or drying,the specific electronic device with which the moisture sense system 10is associated. Other examples of information that the control element 14may cause the warning element 16 to provide to a user include, but arenot limited to, warranty information, repair information, advertisementsrelating to mitigating the effects of potential damage from exposure ofthe electronic device to moisture, and other moisture-relatedinformation.

The warning element 16 may comprise a wireless communication element,and may be configured to transmit a signal to a remote monitoringservice. A wireless communication element may comprise a primarycommunication element of the electronic device with which the moisturesense system 10 is associated, or it may comprise a dedicated wirelesscommunication system. In either embodiment, under control of the controlelement 14, the warning element 16 may identify an appropriate recipientfor information regarding exposure of the electronic device to anabove-ambient amount of moisture, and transmit that information to itsintended recipient. A wireless communication element may be configuredto communicate by a radiofrequency (RF) communication scheme, such asGSM, TDMA (time division multiple access), CDMA (code division multipleaccess), LTE (long term evaluation), 3G, 4G, NFC (near fieldcommunications) or the like. Alternatively, a wireless communicationelement may be configured to communicate by optical means, such as aninfrared (IR) signal, an optical local area network (LAN) system, anoptical personal area network (PAN) system, or the like. Examples ofwireless communication elements include, without limitation,radiofrequency (RF) communication components, such as cellulartransmitters, Bluetooth transmitters or the like, WiFi transmitters(i.e., systems operating on IEEE 802.xxx protocols), or the like.

The switch 18 may also operate in accordance with signals from thecontrol element 14. Alternatively, the switch 18 may be controlleddirectly by signals from the moisture sensor 12. In either event, theswitch 18 may limit the communication of power from a power supply 816(see FIG. 9) (e.g., a primary battery, a rechargeable battery, a back-upbattery, a dedicated battery, a supercapacitor, a fuel cell, aphotovoltaic cell, etc.) to moisture-sensitive components (e.g.,electronic components, etc.) of the electronic device with which themoisture sense system 10 is associated, or of which the moisture sensesystem 10 is a part. In some embodiments, the control element 14 may beconfigured (e.g., programmed, etc.) to determine the orientation of theswitch 18 and, thus, the portions of the electronic device and/or themoisture sense system 10 to which power is to be terminated.

The switch 18 may have a normal position, or orientation, and at leastone moisture event position, or orientation. When the switch 18 is inthe normal position, the electronic device may operate normally; theswitch allows power to flow from a power supply of the electronic deviceto its primary electronic components (e.g., electronic components thatenable the electronic device to function as intended, etc.). When in amoisture event position, the switch 18 may terminate the communicationof power from the power supply 816 to at least some of the circuitry ofthe electronic device (e.g., electronic components that enable theelectronic device to function as intended, one or more communicationports, displays, sensors, cameras, speakers, microphones, etc.). In someembodiments, when the switch 18 is in a moisture event position, it mayallow power to be communicated from the power supply 20 to a remainderof the moisture sense system 10. If operation of the primary powersupply of the electronic device is adversely effected by the moisture,power may be communicated to the remainder of the moisture sense system10 by way of a backup battery, a capacitor, supercapacitor or batterydedicated to the moisture sense system 10, etc.

One or more of the control element 14, the warning element 16, theswitch 18, the power supply 816, heating element 19, and electricalconnections and other components of a moisture sense system 10 may berendered resistant to one or more types of moisture (e.g., to water,aqueous solutions, water vapor, vapors of aqueous solutions, organicliquids or vapors, etc.). For example, one or more of these componentsmay be covered with a moisture-resistant coating, such as a coating thatis impermeable or substantially impermeable to moisture (e.g., asubstituted or unsubstituted polyp-xylylene) polymer (i.e., a parylene,etc.), etc.) a moisture-repellant coating, etc. The moisture sensor 12may also be moisture resistant (e.g., all or a portion of the moisturesensor may be covered with a moisture-resistant coating, etc.).

According to various embodiments, the moisture sense system 10 may becalibrated based one or more parameters. More specifically, one or morethreshold level settings, which may define a moisture event, may berecalibrated based on one or more parameters. For example, the moisturesense system 10 may be calibrated based on environmental conditions,such as humidity, temperature, etc, at a location of the moisture sensesystem 10. As a more specific example, the moisture sense system 10 maybe configured to recalibrate upon experiencing a change in anenvironment, such as a being relocated from a dry environment (e.g., adesert) to a relatively humid environment. It is noted that calibrationof moisture sense system 10 may include user initiated calibration, userverified calibration, automatic calibration, manual calibration, etc.Further, the moisture sense system 10 may utilize hysteresis to preventunwanted rapid switching between a moisture event “ON” level and amoisture event “OFF” level. Stated another way, once a moisture event isdetected at a first moisture level, the moisture level sensed by themoisture sense system 10 must fall below the first moisture level beforethe moisture event is abated.

As will be appreciated by a person having ordinary skill in the art,moisture (e.g., water) may have dielectric properties that are different(i.e., stronger) than air. As will be further appreciated, a capacitancesensor may be configured for measuring dielectric strength and, thus, acapacitance sensor may be used to sense moisture. As a non-limitingexample, a capacitance sensor may include two parallel electrodes (e.g.,two parallel plates), wherein a voltage at a one electrode may be sensedin response to conveying an AC voltage to the other electrode. A valueof the sensed voltage may be used to determine which one or materialsmay be present between the two parallel electrodes. For example, a valueof a voltage sensed when only air is present between the parallelelectrodes will differ than a value of the sensed voltage when air andliquid are present between the parallel electrodes.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, themoisture sensor 12 may comprise a capacitance sensor, which may beconfigured to generate an output that may be indicative of moistureproximate thereto. Further, it is noted that the output of thecapacitance sensor may vary depending on an amount of moisture proximatethereto. According to one specific example, moisture sensor 12 mayinclude at least one capacitance sensor, which may be part of or coupledto an integrated circuit (IC). More specifically, in one embodiment, acapacitance sensor may be internal to an IC, such that the IC may beconfigured to measure a dielectric proximate (e.g., directly above)thereto.

In another embodiment, moisture sensor 12 may include at least onecapacitance sensor, which is at least partially external to the IC andcoupled to one or more input ports of the IC. In this embodiment,moisture sensor 12 may include a shield at least partially surrounding asensor element and including a gap between the sensor element and theshield where moisture is to be detected.

According to one embodiment, the IC may be coupled to and configured todrive a heating element (e.g., heating element 19) upon sensingmoisture. The heating element may be configured for generating heat,which may assist in drying at least portion of an electronic device(i.e., to prevent moisture from lingering).

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of an IC 101 including a plurality ofports 102. According to one embodiment, ports 102 may include aplurality of input ports 102A-102G, and at least one output port 102H.Although IC 101 is illustrated as having eight ports, IC may have anynumber of input ports and any number of output ports. As described morefully below, IC 101 may include or may be coupled to a sensor forsensing moisture proximate thereto.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram depicting an embodiment of a moisture sensesystem 200 including an IC 201 having a plurality of inputs ports202A-202G and an output port 202H. Further, IC 201 may include anoscillator 206 having an input coupled to port 202A, which is furthercoupled to ground voltage GRND via a resistor R and a capacitor C. As anexample, oscillator 206 may comprise a low-power RC oscillatorconfigured to convey a sine wave. IC 201 also includes a capacitancesensor 208 having a one input coupled to port 202B and another inputcoupled to port 202C. As will be described more fully below, port 202Bmay be coupled to a sensor element and port 202C may be coupled to ashield. As will be understood by a person having ordinary skill in theart, capacitance sensor 208, which may include an AC measurementcircuit, may be configured to measure a dielectric constant between twoelectrodes based on a RC time constant decay rate. Capacitance sensor208 may be configured to convey an output signal, which is indicative ofthe dielectric constant between two electrodes (e.g., the sensor elementand the shield).

IC 201 may further include a communication module 210 having one inputcoupled to port 202E and another input coupled to port 202F. Moreover,IC 201 may include logic 212 configured for receiving a signal from thecapacitor sensor 208, a clock signal from oscillator 206, and a signalfrom communication module 210. In addition, IC 201 may include atransistor M1 having a gate coupled to an output of logic 212, a sourcecoupled to a ground voltage GRND via port 202D, and a drain coupled tooutput port 202H, which is further coupled to a supply voltage VCC viaport 202G.

Moisture sense system 200 may also include a heating element 214, whichmay comprise any known and suitable heating element. According to oneembodiment, heating element 214 may comprise one or more heating traces,as illustrated in FIG. 3. As noted above, in response to a moistureevent, heating element 214 may be configured for generating heat, whichmay help dry at least portion of an electronic device (i.e., to preventmoisture from lingering). As will be appreciated by a person havingordinary skill in the art, corrosion of a device part may be a functionof an amount of time the device part is exposed to moisture. Thus, itmay be advantageous to quickly dry critical, non-protected parts (e.g.,speakers, connectors with exposed contacts and other semi-protectedcomponents that have to be masked during a water-proofing process) of anelectronic device to prevent long-term damage.

Logic 212 may be configured for determining when a moisture event occursand when a moisture event abates. More specifically, based on a signalreceived from capacitance sensor 208, logic 212, which may be calibratedbased on one or more conditions, may determine whether or not moistureis proximate capacitance sensor. Upon determining that a moisture eventis occurring, logic 212 may generate a control signal, which may causetransistor M1 to conduct. It is noted that logic 212 may be externallyprogrammable through the communications module 210 via, for example, aninter-integrated circuit (I2C) bus or a serial peripheral interface(SPI) bus. It is noted that communication module 210 may also beconfigured to turn on/off the heating element 214 remotely when amoisture event is not occurring. The IC 201 may further include one ormore outputs programmable to disable circuitry (e.g., upon detection ofa moisture event).

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an embodiment of a moisture sense system300 including a capacitance sensor 308 coupled to a plurality of inputports 102 of an IC (e.g., IC 101 illustrated in FIG. 2). Capacitancesensor 308 includes a sensor element 310 and a shield 312, which atleast partially surrounds sensor element 310. Further, an air gap 309may exist between sensor element 310 and shield 312 where moisture maybe detected. The capacitance sensor 308, which may be configured toreceive an AC voltage, is at least partially surrounded by the shield312, which may be coupled to a ground voltage. The shield 312 surroundsthe sensor element 310 except where moisture detection is desired. It isnoted that by increasing the size of sensor element 310 and shield 312(i.e., increasing the surface area), the sensitivity of capacitancesensor 308 may be increased.

According to one embodiment, an electronic device may include one ormore sensor elements and shields positioned within the electronic deviceand coupled to one or more ICs. Further, it is noted that although FIG.4 illustrates a capacitance sensor at least partially external (i.e.,remote from) an IC, the present invention is not so limited. Rather, acapacitance sensor, including a sensor element and an shield, may beinternal to an IC. It is further noted that the moisture sense system300 may include components similar to the components illustrated in themoisture sense system 200 of FIG. 2 More specifically, for example,moisture sense system 300 may include a communication module, logic,oscillator, and/or a heating element.

Whereas a capacitance sensor can detect moisture by measuring dielectricstrength, an inductive sensor may detect moisture by measuring a changein magnetic permeability (i.e., air vs liquid). As will be appreciated,when a current is induced into a coil, the coil may generate a magneticfield. The formation and decay of the magnetic field may be slowed bythe presence of highly permeable materials. In accordance with anotherembodiment of the present disclosure, moisture sensor 12 (see FIG. 1)may comprise an inductive sensor. FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of asystem 400 including a substrate 402, an IC 404 positioned on thesubstrate 402, a plurality of wire bonds 406 (i.e., for coupling the IC404 to conductive traces 410), and an inductive coil 408. It is notedthat the ends of inductive coil 408 may be wire-bonded to IC 404.According to one embodiment, the inductive coil 408 may be configured togenerate a magnetic field, which may extend beyond the boundaries ofsubstrate 402. During a contemplated operation, IC 404 may pulse theinductive coil 408 (i.e., with a voltage pulse) and measure anelectrical current response, which may vary depending on how fast themagnetic field can build and decay. A decay rate of the magnetic fieldmay depend on a presence of one or more materials, such as liquid and/orair (i.e., liquid v. air dielectric may change the magnetic fieldresponse). According to one embodiment, IC 404 may include a calibrationpin, which may be used to determine an ambient response for calibratingsystem 400. As will be appreciated, a temperature of system 400 mayaffect the decay rate of the magnetic field and, therefore, system 400may include a temperature sensor (not shown in FIG. 5) for sensing atemperature, which may be used by a control element in determiningwhether a moisture event has occurred.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a system 500 including asubstrate 502, an IC 504 positioned on the substrate 502, a plurality ofwire bonds 506 coupled to the IC 504, and an inductive coil 508. It isnoted that the ends of the inductive coil 508 may be wire-bonded to theIC 504. Further, in this embodiment, the inductive coil 2508 may atleast partially surround wire bonds 506 and conductive traces 510.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional illustration of a system 600 including asubstrate 602, an IC 604 positioned on the substrate 602, and aplurality of wire bonds 606 coupled to the IC 604. Further, FIG. 7depicts a magnetic field, which is depicted by reference numeral 611 andmay be generated by an inductive coil (e.g., coil 260 or coil 280). Itis noted that the inductive coil is depicted as conductors with currentrunning into the page (illustrated by “O” 609) and conductors withcurrent running out of the page (illustrated by “X” 607).

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a system 700 including an examplepackage 701 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.According to one embodiment, package 701 may comprise a ball grid array(BGA) package. As will be understood by a person having ordinary skillin the art, a BGA may be advantageous because a BGA substrate maycomprise a printed circuit board for routing signals, a detection coilcan be made larger (i.e., for better sensitivity), and the detectioncoil may be a simple etched feature of a printed circuit board. Package701 includes a BGA substrate 703 coupled to a printed circuit board 702via one or more solder balls 705. Further, package 701 may include an IC704, wire bonds 706, and an encapsulation 710 (e.g., an epoxyencapsulation). It is noted that an inductive coil is depicted asconductors with current running into the page (illustrated by “O” 709)and conductors with current running out of the page (illustrated by “X”707).

It is noted that although the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 aredirected to an on-chip inductive coil the present invention is not solimited. Rather, embodiment of the present disclosure may include remote(off chip) sensing accomplished by pulsing an external loop sensor orair dielectric inductor.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure may include a memory card(e.g., a secure digital (SD) card, a subscriber identification module(SIM) card, etc.) including a capacitance sensor. More specifically, forexample, a memory card may include moisture sense system 10 shown inFIG. 1. The memory card may be configured for being inserted into anelectronic device. Thus, the memory card may enable an electronicdevice, which was previously unable to sense moisture, to sensemoisture. It is noted that this embodiment may also include anapplication for interacting with the electronic device.

FIG. 9 depicts an embodiment of an electronic device 800 that includes amoisture sensor 12, as well as a housing 802, a display 804, its primaryelectronic components (e.g., electronic components that enable theelectronic device to function as intended, such as processors, wirelesscommunication elements, input and/or output elements, transducers,etc.), and any other electronic and/or mechanical components. In someembodiments, such as that depicted by FIG. 9, the moisture sensor 12 ispart of a moisture control system 10, such as that shown in FIG. 1.

The electronic device 800 may comprise a portable electronic device, anelectronic device that is expected to be used in an environment whereexposure to moisture is likely or even expected, or any of a variety ofother types of electronic devices. The housing 802 and display 804define at least part of an exterior of the electronic device 800. Themoisture sensor 12 may, in some embodiments, be located or at leastexposed to the exterior of the electronic device 800. In otherembodiments, the moisture sensor 12 may be located within an interior ofthe electronic device 800, along with other components of the moisturecontrol system 10 (FIG. 1), if any, the primary electronic components ofthe electronic device 800, and a power supply 816, which provides powerto various electronic components of the electronic device 800. Withoutlimitation, the primary electronic components of the electronic devicemay include a processing element 806 (e.g., microprocessor, etc.), awireless communication system 808 (which may include at least oneantenna), and other electronic and/or mechanical components 812 (e.g.,transducers, such as speakers, microphones, etc.; vibrators; fans;etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, a switch 818 is disposed betweenthe power supply 816 and the primary electronic components, and betweenthe power supply 816 and the moisture sensor 12 and any other componentsof the moisture sense system 10.

In some embodiments, the electronic device 800 may also include one ormore moisture-resistant coatings 814. A moisture-resistant coating 814may cover all or part of an exterior of the electronic device 800, allor part of surfaces that are internally confined within the electronicdevice 800 (e.g., surfaces of components or combinations of componentswithin the interior of the electronic device 800, etc.), or bothexternal and internal surfaces.

Various embodiments of methods for sensing and responding to exposure ofan electronic device 800 to an amount of moisture that meets or exceedsa moisture event threshold (e.g., a predetermined, unsafe level ofmoisture, such as 95% relative humidity or greater, exposure to water oranother electrically conductive material in liquid form, etc.) mayinclude sensing an amount of moisture to which the electronic device isexposed (e.g., with a moisture sensor 12, etc.). Sensing may occurcontinuously or periodically. If the amount of moisture detected (e.g.,by the moisture sensor 12, etc.) meets or exceeds the moisture eventthreshold, a normal operational mode of the electronic device 800 may beterminated, and a moisture event mode of the electronic device 800 maybe initiated.

As the electronic device 800 exits its normal operational mode, thesupply of power from a power supply 816 to one or more electroniccomponents of the electronic device 800 may be terminated. The moistureevent mode of an electronic device 800 may interrupt charging of a powersource of the electronic device 800. In some embodiments, this moistureevent mode of the electronic device 800 may include a complete shut-downof the electronic device 800. In other embodiments, the moisture eventmode of the electronic device 800 may comprise a safe mode, in whichcertain components (e.g., primary electronic components that have beenmade moisture resistant, components that are unlikely to fail whenexposed to moisture, etc.) of the electronic device 800 may continue tooperate. In some embodiments, operation of the device in the safe modemay enable the moisture sensor 12 or other components of the moisturesense system 10, if any, to continue operation, while the communicationof power from the power supply 816 to any primary electronic componentsthat do not participate in the moisture sense system may be terminated.

As an electronic device 800 enters the safe mode, or moisture eventmode, the electronic device 800 or a moisture sense system 10 associatedwith the electronic device 800 may generate a notification. Thenotification may include a user-perceptible warning, the generation andtransmittal of a signal to a remote monitoring service or a combinationof these services. Without limitation, a remote monitoring service mayinclude the manufacturer, vendor or an owner or user of the electronicdevice, a party that has been engaged to monitor, update, service orrepair the electronic device, a party that provides warranty coveragefor or insures the electronic device, or any other suitable party.

A user-perceptible warning may be provided by a physical indicator(e.g., sight, sound, motion, etc.) on the electronic device.Alternatively, a warning may be remotely transmitted to a user or amonitoring service (e.g., as a text message, an e-mail, an instantmessage, a telephone call, or any other suitable form of automatedelectronic communication). Such a warning may merely indicate that aparticular electronic device has been exposed to moisture, or it mayinclude other information, such as information about the time at whichthe electronic device was exposed to moisture, the type of moisture towhich the electronic device has been exposed, the extent of exposure,the duration of the exposure, the number of times the electronic devicehas been exposed to moisture (i.e., a tally), the cumulative duration ofexposure of the electronic device to moisture, the geographic locationof the electronic device at the time of exposure, warranty information,contact information for the user and/or owner of the electronic device,information on any prior exposure of the electronic device to moisture,and any other relevant information about exposure of the electronicdevice to moisture. With such information, the recipient may use theinformation themselves or assist the user of the electronic device,record the information that has been received, and/or schedule areminder to follow up with the user.

In embodiments where moisture monitoring continues while an electronicdevice 800 is in moisture event mode, the electronic device 800 may beallowed to resume full operation once an acceptable level of moisture(e.g., a predetermined reset threshold, an amount of moisture below apredetermined moisture event threshold, etc.) is detected. In such anembodiment, when the amount of moisture detected drops to or below apredetermined reset threshold, a predetermined moisture event threshold,or any other suitable reset condition or combination of reset conditionshave been met, the moisture event mode of the electronic device 800 maybe exited, and the normal operational mode of the electronic device 800may resume. Resumption of normal, or full, operation of the electronicdevice 800 may be automatic upon occurrence of the reset condition(s),or resetting of the electronic device 800 may occur when an individual(e.g., a user, an administrator, etc.) causes normal operation of theelectronic device 30 to resume (e.g., following an inspection, etc.).

A moisture sensor comprised of one or more of an inductive sensor,capacitive sensor, accelerometer (to register dropping or throwing of adevice), optical sensor (e.g. onboard camera, infrared emitter/sensorpair), piezo sensor, microphone, speaker (utilized as a pressure gauge),conductivity sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor (e.g.mechanical, electrical, gel), a sacrificial or fuse-like element whichinterrupts circuit connectivity with the presence of moisture beyond aspecific threshold, wireless communication circuitry (e.g. GPS receivercircuits, WIFI and Bluetooth transceiver circuits, cellular telephonetransceiver circuits, antennas). Any of these devices can be usedtogether with control circuitry to apply Boolean logic to one or moretrigger events detected by the sensory devices. The quality and materialproperties of the moisture event will be ascertained by using one ormore of the aforementioned devices jointly or in a Boolean arrangementtogether with the control circuitry.

Although the foregoing description contains many specifics, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of any of the appended claims,but merely as providing information pertinent to some specificembodiments that may fall within the scopes of the appended claims.Features from different embodiments may be employed in combination. Inaddition, other embodiments may also be devised which lie within thescopes of the appended claims. The scope of each claim is, therefore,indicated and limited only by its plain language and the legalequivalents to the recited elements. All additions, deletions andmodifications to the disclosed subject matter that fall within themeaning and scopes of the claims are to be embraced by the claims.

What is claimed:
 1. An electronic device, comprising: a housing and adisplay defining an exterior of an electronic device and an interior ofthe electronic device; an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronicdevice and comprising a control element; and a moisture sensorcomprising at least one inductive sensor, the moisture sensor beingcoupled to or part of the IC and associated with the control element,the moisture sensor and the control element together being configured tosense moisture within the electronic device, wherein the at least oneinductive sensor is configured to generate a magnetic field and detect achange in magnetic permeability, the inductive sensor including aninductive coil surrounding the IC and configured to receive a voltagepulse from the IC.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1, furthercomprising an oscillator configured to convey a clock signal to themoisture sensor and the control element.
 3. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the control element is programmable via acommunications port of the IC.
 4. The electronic device of claim 1, themoisture sensor comprising a capacitance sensor including a shieldsurrounding a sense element and separated from the sense element by anair gap.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the controlelement includes one or more logic circuits.
 6. The electronic device ofclaim 1, the IC configured to measure an electrical current responseafter conveying the voltage pulse to determine if moisture is presentproximate the IC.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1, furthercomprising a ball grid array (BGA) package including the inductivesensor.
 8. The electronic device of claim 1, further comprising at leastone moisture-resistant element coating at least a portion of themoisture sensor.
 9. A system, comprising: an integrated circuit (IC)comprising a processing element and logic calibrated for determining anoccurrence of a moisture event based on a received sensor signal; and amoisture sensor comprising at least one inductive sensor coupled to theprocessing element and configured to generate a magnetic field anddetect a change in magnetic permeability and convey the sensor signal tothe logic, the sensor signal indicative of a measured magneticpermeability proximate the moisture sensor, the inductive sensorincluding an inductive coil surrounding the IC and configured to receivea voltage pulse from the IC.
 10. The system of claim 9, the inductivesensor internal to the IC and configured to detect moisture proximatethe IC.
 11. The system of claim 9, the system further including a shieldand a sense element external from and coupled to the IC.
 12. The systemof claim 11, the shield surrounding the sense element, wherein theinductive sensor is configured to detect moisture within a gapseparating the shield and the sense element.
 13. The system of claim 11,wherein the shield is coupled to a ground voltage.
 14. The system ofclaim 9, the inductive sensor configured to receive a clock signal froman oscillator.
 15. A method for responding to exposure of an electronicdevice to moisture, comprising: measuring a change in magneticpermeability within the electronic device, with at least one inductivesensor, the inductive sensor including an inductive coil; receiving avoltage pulse, at the inductive coil, from an integrated circuit (IC);determining if moisture is within the electronic device based on themeasured change in magnetic permeability; and entering a moisture sensemode of the electronic device if it is determined that moisture iswithin the electronic device.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising measuring a change in dielectric constant within theelectronic device with at least one capacitance sensor.
 17. The methodof claim 15, further comprising calibrating one or more moisture eventthresholds of the electronic device based on one or more conditions.